Link plate for an energy transimission chain, and corresponding energy transmission chain

ABSTRACT

A link plate is proposed for forming at least one member of an energy guide chain, which has overlap regions with stops that limit the angular position of the energy guide chain. Each of the overlap regions has a central region which is surrounded by at least two regions in which some stop faces are formed. It is proposed that a first region has stop faces where these stop faces, in the case of an energy guide chain composed from link plates, determine a curvature region in a transition region between a lower trunk and upper trunk of the energy guide chain. The second region has stop faces which determine a prestressing in the energy guide chain. In addition to the two regions, the link plate may have a third region, which has at least one stop with at least one stop face, where the stop has a spring-elastic characteristic. Through the spring-elastic characteristic, damping of the movement during a pivoting process of the link plates is achieved.

The object of the invention refers to a link plate for an energy guidechain as well as to an energy guide chain.

Wiring guide units for active guidance of lines, cables or similar witha first end, which is fixed locally, and with a second end, which ismovable, are known in numerous embodiments.

The classical wiring guide unit, which is also called energy guide chainor briefly energy chain, consists of individual chain links connected toeach other by linking, and form a common guide channel. Lines, cables orsimilar are arranged in this guide channel.

A wiring guide unit is known from WO 98/40645, consisting of one-pieceprotective elements made of plastic. The protective element is producedin one piece by injection molding or casting and has parts which arejoined together by movable bridges. The protective element has a bottomsegment with a top side, a bottom side, and at least one wall segment,which can be formed to a closed channel section by bending and/orfolding in the direction of the top side of the bottom segment bymechanical closing of a closing mechanism. Preferably, the protectiveelement is connected or can be connected to other similar protectiveelements, so that the channel sections form a conduit for lines in alongitudinal direction.

An energy guide chain is known from EP 0 499 809 A1 for guiding ofenergy conductors, especially cables or tubing, from a fixed connectionto a movable user. The energy guide chain consists of a multiplicity ofchain links which consist of two link plates arranged parallel to oneanother at a distance from one another and of two tie bars that connectthe link plates.

The mutual pivoting angle of neighboring chain links is limited by camsand inserts having stop faces. The cams of the link plate are arrangedin a recess of the link plate and are directed in the longitudinaldirection of the link plate. The cams on one end of the link plate aredisplaced by an angle of 90° in comparison to the cams on the other endof the same link plate, arranged in corresponding recesses.Consequently, the connecting line between the cams is at right angle tothe longitudinal axis of the chain link, while the other cams lie on thelongitudinal axis of the link plate. The insert placed in the recessesbetween the neighboring link plates is essentially cylindrical. Theinsert has two diametrically opposite slits and two recesses. The widthof the slits corresponds to the cams, while the recesses extend over acircular arc that determines the pivoting angle of neighboring chainlinks. The recesses have stop faces, where the stop faces are alwaysarranged diametrically opposite to the insert. For example, the stopfaces are displaced by 90° in the mathematically positive direction ofrotation with respect to the slits. The angle between the stop faces ispredetermined.

The insert defines the maximum horizontal pivoting angle between ofneighboring chain links. This angle also determines the radius ofcurvature in the transition region between an upper trunk and a lowertrunk of an energy guide chain.

Another embodiment of an energy guide chain for the guiding of tubings,cables and similar between two connection locations is known from DE 19715 531. This energy guide chain is formed from chain links where thechain links have link plates connected to one another through tie bars.These link plates have stops which are arranged asymmetrically withrespect to the middle axis running longitudinally along the chain asmirror axis so that, depending on the orientation of one of these plateswith respect to the longitudinal direction of the chain, the anglepositions of the boundary angles defined by the stops are different.With this measure, two different curvature behaviors of the energy guidechain can be realized.

The goal of the present invention is to provide a link plate for anenergy guide chain with an increased functionality.

This goal is achieved by the chain link according to the invention withthe characteristics of claim 1. Advantageously, further developments andembodiments of the link plate according to the invention are the objectsof the dependent Claims.

The link plate according to the invention is characterized by the factthat the overlap regions always have a central region, which issurrounded by at least two areas in which always a few stop faces arearranged. In deviation from the previous constructions of a link plate,as a result of the design of the link plate according to the invention,function separation of the stop faces is achieved, so that themanufacturing as well as the construction expenditure of such a linkplate is further simplified.

The link plate according to the invention is specifically characterizedby the fact that the two regions are designed so that, in an energyguide chain, composed of the link plates, the angle positioning of theenergy guide chain is different depending on the pivoting direction.With the aid of this measure, first of all, an energy guide chain ispredetermined by the regions of defined radius of curvature. On theother hand, a prestress is introduced into the energy guide chain by thesecond region. By the introduction of prestress into the energy guidechain, the life of an energy guide chain is influenced positively.Moreover, an energy guide chain which is provided with a prestress cansupport higher line weights.

Specifically, it is proposed that a first region, which has stop faces,be provided, where these stop faces of an energy guide chain composed ofthe link plates define a curvature region in a transition region betweenan upper trunk and a lower trunk of the energy guide chain.

Through the second region, which also has stop faces, in a guide chaincomposed of the link plates according to the invention, a prestress ofthe energy guide chain is determined.

In addition to the two areas, the link plate according to the inventioncan also have a third area, which has at least one stop with at leastone stop face and the stop has a spring-elastic characteristic. As aresult of the spring-elastic characteristic, damping of the motionduring the pivoting of the link plates is achieved.

The stop can be designed so that it has an essentially V-shapedcross-section.

The regions in which the stop faces are formed are preferably arrangedessentially concentrically to one another.

The shape or form of the stop faces as well as the number of regions mayvary greatly. It is influenced by the use of the link plate. There isthe possibility to build energy guide chains from the same link plates.Instead of the same link plates, by using different link plates, thatis, link plates in which the stop faces are different, energy guidechains with different characteristics can be constructed.

Preferably the link plate is made of plastic, especiallyfiber-reinforced plastic. Glass fibers can be used for fiberreinforcement. It is also possible to provide reinforcement by otheradditives.

The link plate can also be made from a composition which contains atleast one renewable raw material, a material binding this renewable rawmaterial as well as additives and/or adjuvants. The material can alsoconsist partially of at least one metal, especially in the form of apowder.

It is possible to design link plates with stop faces, where the stopfaces can have different positions on the link plate. As a result ofthis, it becomes possible to use stop faces arranged in overlap regions,which permit very different angle positions of the energy guide chain.

Regarding the load on the link plates during the motion of the energyguide chain, the design of the stop faces is especially important. Inorder to be able to produce relatively large stop faces, it is proposedthat at least a few of the stop faces be designed essentially to beconvex or concave. It is also possible to design the cooperating facepair in such a way that one of the stop faces is concave and the otherstop face is convex.

During the operation of conventional energy guide chains, a certainnoise is produced as a result of the stop faces coming together and thiscan be considered unpleasant. In order to reduce the noise emission, itis proposed that at least a few stops, which have at least one stopface, be designed with a spring-elastic characteristic. As a result ofthis, a damping action is achieved, so that during the operation of anenergy guide chain, noise emission can be reduced significantly. Theextent of reduction of noise emission depends on the characteristics ofthe stop faces. The spring-elastic characteristic can be achieved byconstruction measures.

As a result of the spring-elastic characteristic of the stop faces,sudden braking of the movement of the link plates is also reduced. Thiscan be achieved by construction so that, for example, the cross-sectionof the stop is made essentially V-shaped.

In order to further reduce the noise emission and to achieve an evenfurther improvement of the braking of a pivoting process of twoneighboring link plates of an energy guide chain, it is proposed that atleast one stop face be made of a first material, where the stop face hasat least one region which is formed from a second material which haslower hardness in comparison to the first material. The manufacture ofsuch a stop face can be done, for example, according to thetwo-component injection process. Alternatively, there is also apossibility to provide the area, for example, with elements whichconsist preferably of a soft-elastic plastic. These elements can bejoined to the stop faces by positive and/or nonpositive locking in theform of knobs.

According to yet another inventive idea, an energy guide chain isproposed, in which the chain links connected to one another with jointsconsisting of link plates according to one or several of claims 1 to 10and of elements connecting these.

Further details and advantages will be explained with the aid ofpractical examples represented in the drawing, without limiting theobject of the invention to these concrete practical examples.

The following are shown:

FIG. 1 is a link plate according to the invention in a perspective viewfrom the front,

FIG. 2 shows the link plate of FIG. 1 in a back view,

FIG. 3 shows the link plate according to FIG. 1 in longitudinalcross-section,

FIG. 4 is the cross-section of an overlap region in the link plate,

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged stop,

FIG. 6 shows schematically a top view of a constellation of two stops,

FIG. 7 shows schematically a top view of a variation of a stop and

FIG. 8 shows a variation of a stop in cross-section and as a top view.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a practical example of a link plate 1 according tothe invention. The link plate 1 is designed as an elongated body. It hasan overlap region 2, 3 at each of its end regions. The overlap regions2, 3 are designed so that the overlap region 2 of a first chain linkcooperates with an overlap region 3 of a second link plate.

Two neighboring link plates can be set at an angle around a common axis.For this purpose, the overlap region 2 has a first link 4. This firstlink 4 is designed to be tubular in the practical example shown. Asecond link 5 cooperates with the first link 4, which is provided inoverlap region 3. The second link 5 is also designed to be essentiallytubular. The inside diameter of the second link 5 is somewhat greaterthan the outside diameter of the first link 4, so that the first link 4can be introduced into the second link 5 and can be pivoted around thelongitudinal axis of the links.

For attachment, the links 4, 5 may have locking devices, especiallyaccording to the spring-groove principle. It is not necessary that thelinks, as they are represented in the concrete practical example, bedesigned essentially tubular. There is also the possibility to designthe first link in the form of a link peg and the second link in the formof a link receptacle. The locking devices formed on the links provide aseparable joint between two neighboring plates. However, the joint isdesigned so that a certain force is necessary to separate the plates.With the aid of the locking devices, which are formed on the links, itis achieved that the plate connection is retained even during theoperation of the energy guide chain. The locking connection between thelinks can also be used as an aid for purposes of assembly of the energyguide chain.

In FIG. 1, in the overlap region 3, a dashed line is shown whichsubdivides the overlap region 3 into a first region 6 and a secondregion 7. This subdivision is an imaginary theoretical subdivision. Theoverlap region is divided by the second link 5 into a third region 8.The regions are arranged essentially concentrically to one another. Theysurround a central region of overlap region 3.

In the practical example shown, the first region 6 has 5 stops 9.Looking in the peripheral direction, the stops are equidistant to oneanother. Each stop has two stop faces 10, 11. The stop faces 10, 11 arecurved in a concave manner in the practical example shown.

The second region 7 has stops 12. Each stop 12 within the second region7 has two stop faces 13, 14. The stop faces 13, 14 of stops 12 aredesigned in a concavely curved manner in the practical example shown.

Stops 15, 16 are provided within the third region 8. Stops 16 lie on animaginary circle on which stops 15 are arranged. Stops 15 have concavestop faces 17. Stops 16 also have concave stop faces 18.

Stops 9, 12, 15 and 16 with their stop faces cooperate with thecorresponding stops formed in overlap region 2. For this purpose,overlap region 2 is subdivided into 3 areas 20, 21 and 22. Areas 20, 21are concentric to one another around a central region of overlap region2. Stops 23 are arranged within the first region 20. The number of stops23 corresponds to the number of stops 9 in overlap region 3. In thepractical example shown, stops 23 are designed essentially to becylindrical. Each of the lateral surface of stops 23 essentially forms astop face 24.

In the practical example shown, the stops 23 are designed to becylindrical. The diameter of stop 23 and the curvature of stop faces 10,11 are preferably adjusted to one another in such a way that the load onthe surfaces is as uniform as possible when the stop faces of stops 9and 23 lie against one another. As a result of this, the surfacepressure can also be minimized.

The stops 9, 23 are arranged so that, in the extended position of energyguide chain, it will be prestressed. The extent of prestressing dependson the displacement of the cooperating stops 9, 23.

Stops 25 are arranged within the second region 21. Each of stops 25 hasa stop face 26. It is formed by the lateral surface of the cylindricalstop 25. Other configurations or shapes of stop 25 are also possible.Regarding geometry, stop faces 26 are designed so that they cooperatewith the stop faces 13, 14 of stop 12. Through the position and numberof stops 12, 25, the pivoting angle of two neighboring link plates isdetermined. By changing the geometry and/or position of stops 12 and 25,or by increasing the number of stops 12, 25, the pivoting angle can beincreased or reduced. This pivoting angle also determines the radius ofcurvature of the transition region. The transition region lies betweenan upper trunk and a lower trunk of an energy guide chain.

Within the third region 22, which is arranged in the practical exampleshown within the tubularly designed first link 4, two stops 27 and twostops 28 are arranged. Stops 27 and 28 have a cylindrical shape. Each ofthem has stop faces 29 and 30. Stops 27 cooperate with stops 16 andstops 28 cooperate with stops 15. These steps 15, 16, 27 and 28 aredesigned so that they have a damping effect against the end of theangular movement of neighboring plates. Here, stops 27, 28 and 15, 16have such a configuration that they serve as damping agents for thedamping of the radius of curvature and/or damping of the prestressing.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a stop 15 or 16. The stop 15 is linked toa bottom wall 31 of the overlap region 3. A gap 34 is provided betweenan element 32 and the bottom wall 31. The element 32 of stop 15 isstiffened by a rib 33 and is joined to bottom wall 31.

In FIG. 6, stop 15, as well as a stop 28 cooperating with stop 15, isshown in a top view. Stop 28 has a diameter D. The element 32 has anessentially bowl-shaped cross-section and it has stop faces 17. Theinside width L of the bowl-shaped element 32 is somewhat smaller thanthe diameter D of stop 20. When two neighboring connected link platesare pivoted relative to one another, then stop 28 with its stop face 30will lie against stop face 17. As a result of this, the element isspread out, which will involve damping of the movement.

Stops 16 and 27 are designed correspondingly in the practical exampleshown.

FIG. 7 shows another practical example of a stop 15 and 16. This differsby the fact that the element 32 has an essentially V-shapedcross-section. The functionality of this element 32 correspondsessentially to the functionality of element 32, as shown in FIG. 6.

A link plate is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which has 3 functional regions.In a first functional region, stops with stop faces are arranged whichdetermine the prestressing of an energy guide chain. In the secondfunctional region, stops are arranged which are responsible foradjusting the angle position in the radius of curvature. In the thirdfunctional region, stops are provided which are responsible for damping.It is not absolutely necessary for a link plate to have three functionalregions. If no damping is to be provided, then the third functionalregion can be eliminated. However, there is also the possibility toprovide damping in such a way that a third functional region is notabsolutely necessary. Such a possibility consists in the fact that atleast one stop face is made from a first material, where the stop facehas at least one region which is made of a second material which has asmaller hardness than that of the first material.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of stop 9. The modification consists in thefact that the stop faces 10, 11 are made of materials which havedifferent hardnesses. The stop face 10 has a surface area 10 a and asurface area 10 b. Surface area 10 a is made of a material with greaterhardness. The surface area 10 b is made of a material with a lowerhardness. This material can be, for example, rubber or comparablematerials.

Face 11 also has a partial surface 11 a and a partial surface 11 b,where surface 11 a is made of the same material as surface 10 a ofsurface area 11 b made of the same material as partial surface 10 b. Thedamping material can be applied on stop 9, for example, using theso-called two-component injection method. In order to increase thebonding strength, stop 9 has a bore 35. Instead of a bore 35, a slit canbe provided which extends partially from the free end of stop 9 in thedirection of the bottom wall 31. Instead of a two-component injectionmethod, a stop can be provided with a damping element, where the dampingelement is joined to the stop with positive and/or nonpositive locking.

Reference List

-   1 link plate-   2 overlap region-   3 overlap region-   4 first link-   5 second link-   6 first region-   7 second region-   8 third region-   9 stop-   10 stop face-   11 stop face-   12 stop-   13 stop face-   14 stop face-   15 stop-   16 stop-   17 stop faces-   18 stop faces-   20 first region-   21 second region-   22 third region-   23 stop-   24 stop face-   25 stop-   26 stop face-   27 stop-   28 stop-   29 stop faces-   30 stop faces-   31 bottom wall-   32 element-   33 rib-   34 gap-   35 bore

1. A link plate for an energy guide chain, the link plate comprising:overlap regions with an angle positioning of the stop faces limiting theenergy guide chain, characterized by the fact that the overlap regionsalways have a central region which is surrounded by at least two regionsin which some stop faces are arranged.
 2. The link plate according toclaim 1, characterized by two regions, which are designed so that, inthe case of an energy guide chain composed of link plates, the angularposition of the energy guide chain is different depending on thepivoting direction.
 3. The link plate according to claim 1,characterized by a first region, which has stop faces, where thesedetermine the prestressing of the energy link chain in the case of anenergy guide chain composed of link plates.
 4. The link plate accordingto claim 1, characterized by a second region, which has stop faces,where these energy guide chains determine a radius of curvature in atransition region between a lower trunk and an upper trunk in the caseof an energy guide chain composed of link plates.
 5. The link plateaccording to claim 1, characterized by a third region which has at leastone stop with at least one stop face and which has a spring-elasticcharacteristic.
 6. The link plate according to claim 5, characterized bythe fact that the stop has an essentially V-shaped cross-section.
 7. Thelink plate according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the atleast one stop face is made of a first material, where the stop face hasat least one region which is made of a second material which has a lowerhardness than the first material.
 8. The link plate according to claim1, characterized by the fact that the regions are essentially concentricwith respect to one another.
 9. The link plate according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that at least some stop faces have anessentially convex form.
 10. The link plate according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that at least some stop faces have anessentially concave form.
 11. The energy guide chain with chain linksjoined together by linking, formed from link plates according to claim 1and from the elements connecting these.